Battle Of The Country Bands Competition

Ayesha Jeffreys
 
At just 16 years old, Ayesha was accepted as the youngest and first international student of the CMAA country music songwriters’ college in Australia, where she found herself being tutored by country greats such as Pam Tillis and Australia's Lee Kernagan.
 
At 18 Ayesha and her family seized the opportunity to move to America. Ayesha invested everything she had in the American dream and gained a lot of experience performing with professional bands playing four sets a night in honky tonks.

Back in the UK at the age of 23 she started her first originals band, J44. As the keyboard player and front woman of ‘J44’ she gained a lot of attention for refusing to play any covers whatsoever, frequently writing songs on the night prompted by the audiences suggestions.

In 2008 she disbanded J44 to lean more toward to her country roots. Swansea based band ‘The Story’s’ graciously assisted her in recording her first solo demo that received airplay and praise from BBC Radio 2’s (whispering) Bob Harris.
 
Due to financial limitations she was unable to capitalise on this much appreciated music industry recognition with a follow up to the well received demo. She spent the next two years crafting her album of songs and sourcing musicians whilst maintaining her professional commitments.
 
Ayesha is now gearing up for her new solo project with her new road-ready line up that maintains the blues edge with an added country twang. Best known for their energetic and dynamic performances and sincere delivery of the songs she's 'earned along the way'. She is looking forward to releasing her first solo album in Autumn 2012.

Richard Lee

Richard Lee is a singer-songwriter with a powerful voice and distinctive guitar style, singing songs that capture today’s music, a dash of FM top 40 hit from yesterday, with hints of Rock, Nashville Americana and Country all thrown in. With a voice that is both warm and intimate, which can go from a whisper to a roar he delivers songs that are effortlessly upbeat, uniquely compelling, and with a lyrical content that provides even the most cynical listener with more catchy musical fodder than you can shake a stick at.

Performing live is where Richard is truly in his element delivering performances that are engaging, with a positive energy infusing the audience. There’s no dreary navel gazing performances here just a truly energetic live show. With his amusing between song discussion and banter Richard always leaves the audience feeling like they were part of a performance that was anything but ordinary.

Richard Lee’s stunning second album Eighty Two and a Half Chances is his most accomplished work to date with the songs fitting together perfectly with each drawing you in and leaving you with a melody stuck in your head. This album has already drawn comparisons with the country-rock might of Keith Urban and the heartfelt Americana of Eastmountainsouth, but sung with an English accent and having something all of its own.

An album of upbeat songs with infectious melodies and stirring choruses. With subjects ranging from life, love, divine intervention and the still small voice in the back of your head it goes places that we've all been casting an uplifting light, even on the downbeat topics. From full band epic tracks through to the quietest heartfelt acoustic tracks this is an album that is destined to make an impact wherever heard.

Gary Quinn

Gary Quinn is a singer-songwriter that knows how to pull on the heartstrings of his audiences. Creating beautifully crafted lyrics he draws you in with his acoustic driven performances of rock infused country balanced with the traditional. Quinn’s heart-filled songs cover contrasting subjects from the up-tempo ‘Live Each Day’ to the moody love song ‘He Don’t Show Her Anymore’.

Born and raised in Ireland Quinn listened to his father’s Kris Kristofferson tapes and then fell in love with the new country music coming out of America after hearing the Garth Brooks album ‘No Fences’ in the early 1990’s.

After releasing a three-track CD, Quinn’s songs have been heard on radio stations in his native Ireland, UK, America and Australia. He has opened for top touring US country artists and appeared at several prestigious music festivals in Ireland and the UK.

‘He Don’t Show Her Anymore’ received the runner-up accolade in the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival International Song Writing Competition. Subsequently he performed at the festival in 2010 and 2011 where he shared the stage with Nashville recording artists like Carlene Carter and John Brannen.

Quinn has recently been back in the studio with fellow songwriter and producer Phil Haywood of Flashpoint UK. The first fruits from teaming up with the influential production house can be heard on a previous release ‘Tin Man’, written by hit songwriters Phil Haywood and Caine Ward and featuring Gary’s distinctive vocals, which gained acclaim from fans and industry insiders alike.

The latest single from Quinn entitled ‘This Cowboy’s Heart’ can currently be heard on radio stations across the UK and Europe. New tracks for Quinn’s debut album are currently in production. In the meantime Gary's music can be heard by visiting his MySpace web page: www.myspace.com/garyjpquinn

Redhillbillies

Six individuals from North Somerset boasting five decades and twenty one children between them! Ern Panes on bass, Steve Downton - harmonica, Danny O and his accordion, Tom Vowles on banjo, Gerald Filer on the drums and Jo Lee on guitar. They all take lead vocals when they perform an eclectic set and have strong harmonies throughout.

The Redhillbillies have a big sense of fun that carries across in their performances and a genuine love for each other that most bands would be envious of. They create a warm, nostalgic old time sound that mixes the magic of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Folk Rock, Country with fresh vocal interpretation. Their sound flows like good country cider and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face and send your foot a tappin.

They are an upbeat folk country band for country music devotees or people with country in their hearts, they take themselves all over the vale in search of countryside lovers ready to embrace the joy of the Redhillbillies.

Jack, Johnny & Old Monk

Jack, Johnny & Old Monk formed three years ago when guitarist Dexter D'Silva and Lyndon Potter (Rythmn Guitar/Vocals) recruited keyboard player Fred Elloy.

They mainly play British Legion and working man pubs and play to a variety of audiences, but their main music is country and we expect them to go down great at Rockfield!

They have been passionate about country music since they lived in their native India. All have been in England for many years now and played in many country bands before getting together.

Shawn Harvey

Shawn Harvey (Vocals, Guitar) is an established UK singer, songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and producer. He has a large international fan base and is well respected amongst other musicians world wide. For over a decade he has written and recorded Pop, Rock and Blues. He has worked with well known artists such as Albert Lee, Boz Boorer and Linda Gail Lewis.

Shawn was born in Plymouth, England, and grew up in a small tin-mining town in rural Cornwall to the sounds of the 70's, a love which shines through in his music to this day. He started playing guitar and writing songs at the age of 13.

Shawn has developed his own distinctive style, taking bits from his early influences and adding a dose of his own personality. The result is fresh and original sounding Pop and Rock music. His live performances are electric and show his musical talent as a singer and guitarist. Years of working on the road from as early as 14 have made him a true pro. Catch him live, when he is in his element.

Shawn is always working on new musical ideas. His current project is
Shawn Harvey & B-57, a Classic Rock, Americana and Indie band, and, of course, he pursues his solo career as a songwriter and performer.

US Mail

Having already spent several years playing all over the country in various country outfits, drummer Dave and keyboard man Lee decided that 2008 was the right time to get together and launch new country rock band U.S.Mail on the scene. Hailing from the far from dry and dusty environment that is Bolton, Lancashire, the two friends set about recruiting musicians for the band. Though known primarily as a guitarist, Jules took on the role of bass player and, after a couple of setbacks in the guitar and vocal departments, the current line up was completed by vocalist/gutarist Chris and, as it turns out, somewhat of a legend on the scene, Pete (formerly of Left Hand Drive!) on lead guitar.

The band play a healthy mix of both old and new country. There's definitely something there for all who those enjoy the genre whether dancing or listening.

Current favourites are tunes by the likes of Alan Jackson, George Strait, The Eagles, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and Steve Earle.

Loren Balaam

17 year old Loren Balaam is from Cwmbran, South Wales has been playing guitar since she was 10 and started writing her own songs from the age of 13. She has been influenced by country music artists such as Taylor Swift, Ray Lamontagne, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss. She starting playing her songs solo at local open mic nights and gathered a loyal following and then started to play further away from home in places such as Monmouth and England.

In the summer of 2010 Loren played at Cwmbran Festival where she met Andrew Hughes (drums) and Frank Morgan (bass). They formed a band together and since then have played many gigs and been on radio shows.

The Big Nowhere

The music of The Big Nowhere has been described as anything from Rock, Folk, Country, Americana, alt.country, to a mixture of them all. Their music has the feel of the kind of records that just don’t get made any more. The Big Nowhere are known for the storytelling element to their music, and the way their songs evoke a feeling of a certain time, or a certain place.

The Ginjammers

Armed only with two guitars, two voices and a harmonica, Pete and Hazel bring along a big bag of songs ranging from old-time mountain music to foot-stomping country/blues. There’s even a bit of gospel thrown in for good measure!

Without drums and bass it’s mostly left to Hazel to supply the rhythmic propulsion with her solid flat-picking style, whilst Pete keeps up an extraordinary running narrative on guitar, conjuring up a sound reminiscent of banjo and fiddle. They produce an amazingly full sound for a two-piece!

Their vocal harmonies melt together like chocolate and their exuberant stage presence will leave you wanting more!